57. References to Indian Mathematics in certain 
Medieval Works. 
By G. R. Kaye. 
i, 
In certain medieval works on mathematics and kindred 
subjects there are curious references to Indian sources which 
have possibly led to misunderstandings as to the part played 
indu scholars in the domain of mathematics. 
Such references may be roughly divided into three classes : 
viz. (1) those that attribute to an Indian source a general 
system of some branch of mathematics ; (2) those that refer 
by Ibn Sina, Ibn el-Benna and Jordanus; while of the third 
are statements by el-Qalasadi, el-Mahalli and others besides 
statements in the works of Planudes, and Leonard of Pisa 
already mentioned.! 
Il. 
A detailed examination of the particular instances cited 
brings to light some very curious facts and at the same time 
shows that the term ‘ Indian’ was often incorrectly applied. 
To those familiar with the old Hindu mathematical works 
a casual inspection of the works of Muhamm . Musa, 
Meximus Planudes and Leonardo Fibonacci will convince them 
that the connection with India is very slight indeed, and if it 
were not for the fact that in each of the works referred to the 
term ‘Indian’ is used or supposed to be used no one would 
have suggested the connection. 
Muhammad Masa el-Chowarezmi lived in the first 
quarter of the ninth century of our era. He was one of the 
scholars that the Khalif el-Mamin is said to have employed in 
measuring a degree of the meridian, the revision of Ptolemy’s 
Pp 
on Algebra, and his treatise on that subject is well known 
1 For a fuller list of such references see the Appendix. 
